UCLA Men’s Soccer Well-Represented in MLS Cup
December 08, 2016 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – Several former UCLA men's soccer players have helped both the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC advance to Saturday's MLS Cup as coaches and as a part of the front office.
The Sounders have four former players on its staff including Sporting Director Chris Henderson, Assistant Coach Ante Razov, Head Scout Kurt Schmid and S2 Assistant Coach Junior Gonzalez. Toronto boasts two former Bruins in Technical Director and Head Coach Greg Vanney and Assistant Coach Nick Theslof.
Henderson was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame earlier this season after being named a NSCAA All-American first team selection and leading the Bruins to a national title in 1990. His freshman year he was named to Soccer America's All-Freshman team.
Vanney was a Soccer News honorable mention All-American and third team NSCAA All-Far West selection in 1995. He was also a two-time all-conference selection. Vanney was the hero in the team's 1994 Final Four run, scoring late-game goals to win the second round and quarterfinal games.
Razov was a NSCAA All-America second team selection and finalist for the MAC Player of the Year award in 1995. He was a two-time All-Far West and three-time all-conference first-team selection. He currently ranks inside the top 10 in career points in program history with 109.
Theslof played for UCLA from 1994-97 and helped lead the Bruins to its third national championship in 1997. He was a three-time all-conference selection and led the team in assists with nine in 1996.
Schmid was a member of UCLA's 2002 National Championship team, while Gonzalez was a part of the 1997 National Title team.
The MLS Cup will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 5 pm PT from BMO Field in Toronto.